Wedge means elevating the outside edge of a golfer&#39;s shoe



R. H. ROGERS 3,195,891

WEDGE MEANS ELEVATING THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF A GOLFERS SHOE July 20, 1965 Filed Aug. 31, 1962 INVENTOR. P/afia/v If Kaye/2s BY J J i I Arrow/5Y5.

United States Patent 3,195,891 WEDGE MEANS ELEVATING THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF A GOLFERS SHOE Richard H. Rogers, 2525 Woodscrest Blvd, Lincoln, Nebr. Filed Aug. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 220,768 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-32) This invention relates generally to accessories for golfers, and refers more particularly to a device to be used in conjunction with a golf shoe to improve the swing of a golfer.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a device which cooperates with the shoe of the golfer in such fashion as to promote a position for the golfers body on the backswing which inhibits swaying of the body away from the alignment necessary to obtain optimum power in the swing, to assist in the downswing in obtaining such power, and to keep the downswing in the proper are so the golfer will swing from the inside to the outside. I have found that a device according to my invention tends to stabilize the hips in the address position which is known to be the best position at the start of the downswing. Not only does it affect such stabilization, but also it tends to create a muscular relationship in the body, causing the hips to properly pivot during the downswing and impact are in such fashion as to insure that they will cooperate with the arm and torso muscles to maximize the speed of the club head at the point of impact with the ball, thus providing a powerful swing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is sufficiently subtle in its effect as to make it highly useful as a training and practice device which can be dispensed with in regular play. The device tends to train the body to automatically assume the relationship between legs, hips and torso obtained during use of the device, with the result that it can be quite successfully utilized in teaching a novice or in correcting improper swings of more advanced golfers.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is so constructed that it can readily be attached to the foot of the golfer and worn with little discomfort, thus permitting the golfer to move freely about and without requiring repositioning the device every time a new stance is assumed.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the character described which can be easily applied to and removed from a secured position on the foot; which is constructed to withstand long and rugged use; which will cause no damage to the shoe while in use; and which can be used in practicing at home with regular street shoes without damage to floors or carpeting.

Other and further objects of the invention together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals indicate like 7 parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the foot of a golfer, looking generally toward the outside edge of the shoe and illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention attached thereto;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged edge elevation of the device disassociated from the shoe, the elevation being taken from the right hand side of the device as viewed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawing, reference numeral indicates generally a typical golf shoe having the sole 11 and heel 12, and equipped with a swing assisting device 13 according to the invention.

To illustrate the invention I have shown the right shoe, which is the foot on which the device would be worn by a golfer using a right hand swing. As will become evident as the description proceeds, the device 13 can readily be constructed to fit with a left shoe in the case of the left handed golfer by simply making a mirror image of the device herein shown and described.

The device 13 comprises generally a block-like body 14, preferably a solid body of rubber or like material. The block is provided with the flat bottom face 14a adapted to contact and rest upon the ground, a top face 14b adapted to abut and support the arch portion 11a of the shoe sole, a front edge face 140, a rear edge face 14d, and side faces 14c and 14f, respectively. The block is generally rectangular in plan with the long dimension extending between side faces 14e, 14f. This dimension is substantially equal to the width of the sole at the arch portion 11a. The width of the block between faces 14c and 14d is preferably about one-half the distance from the advance edge of the heel to the ball of the foot.

The block is attached to the foot and shoe by means of an elastic band 15 secured to the block and adapted to pass over and firmly contract about the instep. The

band many be secured to the block in any convenient fashion, as by passing it through a slot 14h extending through the latter or by any other securing means.

The shape and configuration of the block is such that when the foot is placed on the ground the block cooperates with the shoe to support the foot in a position in which the outside edge is elevated above the inside edge, therefore, placing the weight to the inside of the ball of the foot. Thus, as best seen in FIG. 1, the maximum thickness of the block is at the outside face 14e and-the thickness decreases toward the inside face 14 Because of the normal contour of the arch portion of the sole, the block also decreases in thickness from the rear face 14d toward the front face 140, which is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. The thickness of the block at the outside face 14a in relation to the thickness of the heel is preferably such as to lift the near side of the heel and sole, as viewed in FIG. 1, approximately inch to /2 inch from the ground. The thickness of the opposite face is sub stantially that of the heel so as to place the bottom edge of the block along the side face 14 in substantially the same plane as the bottom of the heel and ground contacting portion of the sole. Thus, the inside edge of the heel and sole contacts the ground while the outside is lifted above the ground, being tilted upwardly by the block.

The block is so positioned that the rearward face 14d lies closely adjacent the advance edge of the heel 12, thus essentially nesting the block in the juncture formed between the arch portion 11a and the heel 12. The block is thus held against accidental shifting lengthwise of the shoe and a firm holding relationship is established.

The operation of the invention should be evident from the foregoing description. Due to the wedging or tilting acting of the block 14 the foot is supported in a fashion such as to throw the weight carried by the right leg on the inside of the ball of the foot and the right knee tends to be flexed inwardly. The wedge holds the foot and knee substantially in these positions on the backswing, and thus the body is prepared for a strong action on the downswing. Because of the position in which the foot is held, 'back sway away from the vertical body alignment at time of address is inhibited, if not prevented entirely, and this combination of results assists in obtaining clean and powerful impact with the ball on the swing through.

By virtue of the substantial area given the bottom face 7 m) a Me, the device can be worn while walking around without incurring a great deal of discomfort. It can be easily applied to and removed from the foot by simply expanding the band 15 and slipping the device over the toe of the a shoe. It is compact and can easily be carried in the golf bag or trouser pocket for use whenever desired.

'From the foregoing it will'be seen that-this invention isone well adapted to attain all,of the ends and'objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations areof utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claim.

As many possible embodiments maybe made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to 'be understood that all matter herein 'set'fort'h or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

The combination with a golf shoe havingbottom heel and sole surfaces lying substantially in a commonplane and an intermediate elevated arch, of a golf swing -im proving device comprising a wedge, member nested in said grease;

' verging toward the common plane-as it, proceeds toward the other side edge, and means for releasably holding said Wedge member in said nested condition.

References Cited byv the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,061,056 5/13 Emery 128-589 1,072,878 9/13, Shane 128 s89 2,847,769 2 8/58 Schlesinger 128-589 2,864,179 12/58, Watson 128591 3,015,754 1/62 Legge'ut -128 -'-589 a r FOREIGN PATENTS 211,607 2/24 Great Britain.

DELBERTV B. LOWE, Primary Examiner. 

